Frances S. Summersell Library

When I was a girl, books were my teachers, my friends. They gave me hope, dreams, direction, and eventually power – power to become who I wanted to be.

-Mary Pipher (Author of Reviving Ophelia)

Frances S. Summersell

The Library in the Women and Gender Resource Center was named in honor of (the late) Mrs. Frances S. Summersell in May of 1997. Mrs. Summersell provided generous support for the enhancement of the Library. For many years, Mrs. Summersell was an active supporter of the University of Alabama and its programs, including establishment of the Charles Grayson Summersell Memorial Endowed History Award, support for The Other Club, XXXI, and other University programs. We are deeply appreciative of Mrs. Summersell ‘s generous gift to the Women and Gender Resource Center.

About the Library

The Library serves as a valuable resource for the University of Alabama and the community. The Library has a growing collection of books and DVDs on a wide variety of topics. Examples of subject areas include:

Women’s History

Women’s Studies

Girl Studies

Gender Studies

Psychology

Fiction

Biography

Reference

Women’s Health

Race/Class/Culture

Career/Leadership

Relationship Violence

Sexual Assault

Self Help

In honor of cultural heritage and awareness months, the Frances S. Summersell Library accepts book donations. Check out our Amazon wish lists on various topics!

Library Usage

Books and DVDs are available for check-out. Materials in the Resource files may be copied for a small fee. A large selection of brochures are available free in limited quantities.

Faculty Resources

The Library has a very large selection of documentaries and educational videos that are useful to supplement class lectures/presentations on gender issues as well as race, class, and culture issues. Periodically, we are also able to add relevant documentaries to our collection at faculty request. Check out our collection. If you don’t find what you are looking for, ask us to add it to our Library Wish List.

Sit and Relax

Come by the Library and check out some of our books on women’s poetry or a biography of a famous woman! Get all the information you need for that class presentation or paper. There are comfortable seating areas if you want to just sit and read or browse through the resources.

Patron Disclaimer

In order to check out holdings in the Frances S. Summersell Library, UA students, faculty, and staff must first read and agree to all policies and sign a patron agreement form. All patrons must also abide by the University Libraries Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. Failure to abide by these policies may result in loss of privileges and possible fines from $10 to $300.

Before checking out holdings for the first time, patrons are required to sign a patron agreement form that acknowledges the acceptance of the policies and procedures.